Music Site To Let Users Swap CDs
Friday, March 10, 2006 by AtlanticCanadianScot | Discussion: Websites
Backed with $9 million in funding by Bain Capital and Ignition Partners, La la works like an online music co-op by enabling members to trade physical CDs they own for physical CDs they want, Bill Nguyen, co-founder of La la, said ahead of the Tuesday announcement.
With 1.8 million album titles available, members trade the CDs in prepaid envelopes, much like popular mail-order DVD service Netflix Inc. operates.
La la said it is talking with the world's major music labels to obtain licenses for the sale of digital music.
La la said it enables members to buy a physical CD new if they cannot get it for trade and also hopes to eventually offer digital album downloads at retail prices.
It does not plan to offer digital downloads of singles.
Officials for the major labels -- EMI Group Plc, Vivendi Universal's Universal Music, Sony Corp.'s and Bertelsmann AG's Sony BMG, and Warner Music Group Corp. -- either declined comment or were unavailable.
A spokesman for La la said it expects 30 percent to 40 percent of its revenues will come from trading, with the rest to be obtained through sales of physical CDs, through a deal with CD distributor Baker Taylor, and eventually from digital downloads.
La la founders argue that, unlike underground online file-sharing services, which have been sued for copyright infringement, La la is protected under an exception to the U.S. Copyright Act. They contend that the owner of a CD can transfer a legally acquired copy without permission or payment of additional royalties.
A member will pay $1 to La la for facilitating the trade on receipt of a disc from another member, plus a 49 cent shipping charge.
La la said it will set aside 20 percent of its trading revenue for recording artists.
Other Web sites, such as Peerflix and BarterBee, are also enabling consumers to swap used merchandise.
Peerflix allows members to legally trade DVDs, while BarterBee lets people swap between multiple media, such as DVDs, music and games.
Windows Live from Microsoft
Friday, March 10, 2006 by DJBandit | Discussion: Personal Computing
Windows Live Link
Your online world gets better when everything works simply and effortlessly together. That's the basic idea behind Windows Live. So the things you care about—your friends, the latest information, your e-mails, powerful search, your PC files, everything—comes together in one place. This is a brand new Internet experience designed to put you in control. And this is just the beginning—you'll see many more new services in the coming months.
What is Windows Live Ideas?
Windows Live Ideas is where you can check out the very latest Windows Live products—so new that they're not even finished yet. So give them a try and then tell us exactly what you think. And don't hold back. We need your help to make these products the best they can be.
These are some of the features of Windows Live:
Windows Live Search beta makes it easy to find the information you want. No matter what you’re looking for—music, images, the closest pizzeria to your hotel, something you thought you read online a month ago—you’ll simply find it faster.
Look out google, here comes Microsoft. It’s a matter of testing it to see if it works for you I guess.
Have your way with this page. Sign in, get the content you want—news, sports, search results, whatever—add columns, and move stuff around at will. It’s all you.
This would be the equivalent of my yahoo web page where you can see you emails, get news reports, funny pages, stock market and more. Looks interesting.
This super-handy tool lets you search from any Web page. It also helps block pop-up ads, and warns you when it looks like you might be the target of an identity theft scam.
This must be the next update to the MSN toolbar for IE. I use google often but if it works why not?
Expo is an online social marketplace where you can exchange goods, ideas or information with anyone you choose, anywhere you want. And it just might change your idea of what an online community can be.
Now this sounds interesting, it’s like combining eBay and the classified section.
This will be the next-generation MSN Messenger. The name is new, but it will still be free to download Messenger and use most of its features. And there will be some remarkable new ways to instantly share and connect with friends.
MSN Messenger under another name, will this be version 8? I am curious to see what new features it will bring.
It’s all-new Web mail, built from the ground up. Preview your e-mail without loading a new page each time (like Outlook®) drag and drop messages into folders, and generally power through your e-mail in a flash.
This is basically hotmail under another name I guess. Oh well, hotmail works fine for me.
This PC care service is always on, running quietly in the background. It helps give you round-the-clock protection and maintenance—virus scanning, firewalls, tune ups, file backups, the whole nine yards. Delivered to you in a smooth, hassle-free package.
Finally a virus and spyware system from Microsoft. I would think if anyone knew how to protect Windows files from viruses, Trojans and other malware, it would be Microsoft.
Advanced, easy-to-read maps, directions, and satellite photos? Sure, but that’s just the beginning. You can also get bird’s eye views of most major U.S. cities, see multiple destinations on one map, and customize your map views.
So this will be kinda like a combination of google earth and the yellow pages. If it can really be very detailed as it claims then it sounds good to me. I have tried similar things and the detail sucks or you can’t find anything on specific places in the US.
Stop by this free online service station regularly to help protect your computer and keep it in tip-top shape. Get virus cleaning and a comprehensive PC health checkup any time you need it.
This is a pretty neat feature. To be able to access a free anti-virus site online if you didn’t have a anti-virus program on the PC you are currently using and updated at all times.
You are away from your own computer and want to get to the important sites you use everyday? No problem, now that your Internet Explorer Favorites can travel with you.
This sounds promising. To think how useful this could have been so many times before when I access the internet from another PC and couldn’t remember that site that I had on my Fav list.
Picture this: You search for a restaurant with your phone, then click on the result to be connected immediately. Plus, you can see detailed maps, driving directions, and more—all formatted to fit the screen on your mobile device.
If you've got a domain (like example.com) we'll set you up with your own personal e-mail address (like you@example.com), with lots of storage and easy Web access to your inbox. And best of all, it's free.
So basically Microsoft is now web-hosting, though it is limited, sounds like a good idea for a small business.
What’s Invisi-Business? It’s what happens when your business lacks a viable Web presence, rendering it virtually invisible to potential customers. Enter Microsoft Office Live beta, to give you a Web site, company e-mail, and more.
Here it’s giving you the ability to connect your Office software to your business website for better use of your software and website. Not bad, gotta wonder on the price though. Still, for business purpose, it looks pretty good.
Microsoft Office 2007
Friday, March 10, 2006 by Island Dog | Discussion: Windows Software
Microsoft has put up a preview section for Office 2007.
Preview of the "new" gui - http://www.microsoft.com/office/preview/uioverview.mspx
Prices - http://www.microsoft.com/office/preview/pricing.mspx
Origami See the Ultra-Mobile PC Interface in Action
Thursday, March 9, 2006 by Clonmelchat | Discussion: Personal Computing
Program Launcher makes it easy to get going
The Touch Pack is a preinstalled suite of software that is built on top of the Windows XP operating system, specifically designed for UMPCs by Microsoft.
The Touch Pack's Program Launcher organizes software programs into categories and it uses large buttons and icons to make it easy to find and launch your favorite applications. The Program Launcher's categories, backgrounds, and shortcuts are all customizable.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/umpc/howitworks.mspxLink
Don't see what Vista offers over XP except a new GUI?
Wednesday, March 1, 2006 by Thomas Thomassen | Discussion: Personal Computing
IMO it's these changes that's the important part about Vista. It seem many people make up their mind of what they can see from the screenshots.
Offical Windows Vista versions
Monday, February 27, 2006 by Island Dog | Discussion: Windows Vista
Here is the "official" Vista versions.
Windows Vista Home Basic: For consumers that want to simply use the PC to browse the Internet, correspond with friends and family over email or perform basic document creation and editing tasks, Windows Vista Home Basic will deliver a safer, more reliable and more productive computing environment.
Windows Vista Home Premium: Will help consumers utilize mobile or desktop PC functionality more effectively while enabling the enjoyment of new, exciting digital entertainment experiences – all with the benefit of added security and reliability. Windows Vista Home Premium includes everything in Windows Vista Home Basic, plus the Windows Vista Aero™ and Media Center and Tablet PC capabilities.
Windows Vista Ultimate: Windows Vista Ultimate is the edition of Windows Vista that has it all. It is the first operating system that brings together all of the consumer-oriented features available in Windows Vista Home Premium with all of the business-oriented features available in Windows Vista Business.
Two versions will cater to businesses:
Windows Vista Business: For small to medium size businesses, Windows Vista Business will help keep PCs running smoothly and securely so they are less reliant on dedicated IT support. For larger organizations, Windows Vista Business will provide dramatic new infrastructure improvements that will enable IT staff to spend less time focused on day to day maintenance of PCs and more time adding strategic value to the organization.
Windows Vista Enterprise: To better address the needs of large, global organizations and those with highly complex IT infrastructures, Windows Vista Enterprise is designed to significantly lower IT costs and risk. In addition to all of the features available in Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Enterprise is designed to provide higher levels of data protection using hardware-based encryption technology.
Vista and DRM
Friday, February 24, 2006 by Island Dog | Discussion: Personal Computing
I have been reading some articles on the DRM that Vista will supposedly include. I would like everyones opinoins on these.
"Microsoft is taking some heat over a digital-rights management (DRM) feature it's folding into its upcoming Vista (formerly Longhorn) operating system.
The feature, called Output Content Protection Management, encompasses several DRM-related schemes. The one that's raised hackles in several articles and blogs is a DRM-related check that's performed when playing back video on Vista-equipped PCs. According to Microsoft's description, the feature "makes sure that the PC's video outputs have the required protection or that they are turned off if such protection is not available."
In plain English, this means that Vista machines won't be able to play next-generation, high-definition DVDs in their full, high-resolution glory unless they're equipped with monitors that support a new DRM scheme called High-Bandwidth Digital Copy Protection, or HDCP. "
Techweb article - http://www.techweb.com/wire/software/167101037
IE 7 Beta 2 Review
Good, Very Good!
Saturday, February 4, 2006 by Larry Kuperman | Discussion: Internet
Key Features: Tabbed Browsing, a Streamlined (and highly configurable) user interface, greatly improved security, RSS feed support, toolbar search box. For a full feature list see Link (Some IE7 features will not be available until Vista rolls out.
Killer Feature: Quick tabs, thumb nail view of the tabs that you have open.
If you have used Firefox, the experience will be immediately familiar. Set up was easy, configuration was intuitive. The tabs look the way I have my tabs set in Firefox (I use Tab Mix Plus) and useage was familiar. IE 7 install also optionally runs the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool at installation,which was a nice touch, I thought.
I configured the search box immediately, choosing Google over MSN Seach without problem.
Memory usage still seems higher than for Firefox. IE7 with two tabs open: 67 Mb. Firefox 1.5.0.1 with the same two tabs: 47 Mb. If anyone gets different results, I would like to see them.
As mentioned before, security is GREATLY improved. Tools> Manage Add Ons lets you see what is running and gives you the option of Enabling/Disabling an Add On or deleting it all together. There are also built-in links for a number of Add Ons, including security ones, at http://windowsmarketplace.com/content.aspx?ctId=63 You can get Pop Up blockers, anti-Spyware programs, etc.
The interface is way cleaner, although you can easily go back the IE6 "classic" look if you want. See Link
IE7 is obviously intended to go head to head with Mozilla's Firefox. In my not-so-humble opinion, it is competitive. It doesn't blow Firefox away, but it is much better than IE6.
Take the full tour at Link
UnderTheSkin Episode 5 Show Notes
Check the links out!
Saturday, January 28, 2006 by qrush | Discussion: Community
News:
1) SkinArtistry closing down http://skinartistry.com/news.php
2) Winter contests Skinbase Winter Theme Contest: http://www.skinbase.org/news.php?topicid=1165 , Skinning.net wallpaper poll: https://www.wincustomize.com/forums.aspx?SID=1&AID=98705&c=1
3) SoundPackager! Woot! https://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?SID=1&AID=98383&c=1
Skins:
1) Geyorkias by BlinkChang https://www.wincustomize.com/ViewSkin.aspx?SkinID=1438&LibID=2
2) Medusa - Dev-C++by D. Arnaez https://www.wincustomize.com/ViewSkin.aspx?SkinID=1908&LibID=39
3) Battlefield 2 by Josephs https://www.wincustomize.com/ViewSkin.aspx?SkinID=5524&LibID=1
4) Mushrooms by GH33DA https://www.wincustomize.com/ViewSkin.aspx?SID=1&SkinID=26606&LibID=8
5) Sputnik by Dace K https://www.wincustomize.com/ViewSkin.aspx?SID=1&SkinID=1794&LibID=25
Questions (lots talked about...look for us mentioning you!) : https://www.wincustomize.com/Forums.aspx?ForumID=189&AID=98679#772973
Thanks for listening, everyone!
**More links and thumbnails coming on Saturday or Sunday...
